Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us (Psalm 96.2, GNB).
If you would like to receive these by email, please click here.
Opening
Speak these words out loud:
Jesus said, ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.’
Acts 1.8 (NIV)
Today’s Proverb
Read the proverb through three or four times, slowly. Pause in-between, maybe write it out by hand – savour the words, let them speak deeply to you.
One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich – both come to poverty. (NIV)
If you make gifts to rich people or oppress the poor to get rich, you will become poor yourself. (GNB)
Proverbs 22.16
What is the desire of your heart? What do you chase after?
I confess that too often the answer to that question for me is ‘a cabin by the sea overlooking mountains with a fast internet connection’ (!). Far too often I answer that question in terms of stuff and material things – good things often, but still ‘things’.
Only in my rarest and holiest moments do I answer that question in terms of a godly character. Yet Paul says:
Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4.8).
The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6.10-11).
Note the active words Paul uses: flee from all this, pursue godliness (etc).
How can you flee from all that leads away from God?
How can you pursue a godly character?
Prayers
Pray for Five – pray for your five friends / family from Thy Kingdom Come.
Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form – and local parishes and senior church leaders. Today we are praying for:
Bruce & Judith Ackers, Tony & Janet Land
Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.
We also pray for: Reopening – Wisdom & Safety
Please pray for our leaders and healthcare workers, and all those working to keep us safe, well, and fed. Please pray that people would unselfishly put others before themselves.
Church Family Prayer
Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the only way to the Father.
Psalm 127.1, Hebrews 12.2 & John 14.6
May Christ our Saviour give us peace.
Amen.